[simpits-tech] CRT/LCD backed gauges vs. mechanical gauges...

[Justin Messenger]

Freeman,
  My first sim used a monitor to display my gauges and it did the job. It certainly is cheaper
   
  Now I am using gauges that run off of servos and stepper moters. Some of Simkits gauges use modified servos to allow continuious movement like the Altimeter, though their attitude indicator is limited as you said. That is why I am using Flight Ilusion's stepper motor attitude indicator because it has 360 degree roll as can be seen in my F-4 video.
  http://geocities.com/cap17.geo/ShowSim.wmv I dont see how that is an issue in a 172 though :)
   
  I prefer the look of the physical gauges though there are some really nice pits out there that use monitors for tradition gauges. Its a matter of personal choice and budget. My favorite traditional instrument sim that is using monitors is this 727. http://project727.xsn.net/ It looks great.
   
  Beta Innovations sells air core gauges. Ask Gene, he picked up a bunch of them and can tell you how cheap they are :)  Im sure he had to put off his next RC plane project for a while after the aircore purchase :) But they work well once you get them running.
   
  Justin
   
   
  simpits-tech] Freeman Pascal pascal at pascal.org 
Sat Apr 26 21:46:32 PDT 2008 
      
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How many folks are using CRT or LCD backed gauges vs. servo/air wound    gauges?  What are people's opinion of both options?  Has anyone switch    from one to the other and why?    Due to the cost of each servo/air-wound based gauges and the    electronics to drive them, using a LCD behind the instrument panel is    tempting.  But, I'm particularly challenged to find a monitor that    will fit and handle all or just the primary flight gauges for my    Cessna 172 cockpit.  With a standard C172 panel I need a single    monitor with a minimum viewable area of 490.31 mm X 276.51 mm (for all    gauges) or 355.08 mm X 276.51 mm (primary flight gauges), or multiple    monitors.    A standard 17" LCD monitor and a standard 15" LCD monitor would handle    all the gauges with 2" overlap hanging out above the engine gauges.     Two 17"s will work with more overlap.    Servo gauges would allow me to run the yoke through the instrument    panel without alteration, but servo gauges
 suffer from price and    rotation limitations (can't do a barrel roll without having the servo    snap around).  Air gauges would work, but they are even harder to    find.  Anyone ever seen kits for building your own air wound gauges?    LCD backed gauges allow you to handle all the gauges you can get on a    single screen without additional electronics (maybe an extra graphics    card if needed).  The displayed gauges would not suffer from physical    limitations that server gauges would.  Although, on the C172 panel the    LCDs would be in the way of the normal yoke mounting and fuse panel.     One solution for this is to added a vertical space between the gauges    and the fuse/switch panel to accommodate the displaced yoke and fuse    panel.  This doesn't look too bad and only adds approximately 2" to    the vertical height of the cockpit.  I could use the extra space for    head set jacks and extra switches if needed.  If I use a 15" monitor    for the engine gauges
 I can move the LCD down a bit and reduce the    overlap sticking out above the edge.    It's all a bit frustrating if you want an authentic, realistic cockpit    layout that can be used as a trainer.  How are other folks dealing    with similar challenges with their own cockpits?      -Freeman  

       
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